This is an exploratory, laboratory-based evaluation of cellular immune response to immunization with hepatitis B surface antigen in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected adolescents. This is a substudy of ATN 024 and ATN 025. This substudy will compare cellular immune response in responders and nonresponders to immunization and also evaluate the relationship of these factors to the persistence of known correlates of serologic protection for the hepatitis B virus.

To measure interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin -4 (IL-4), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) production in serologic responders and non-responders. [ Time Frame: Before and one month after receipt of primary series of immunization. ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

To measure concentration of antibody-secreting cells in serologic responders and non-responders. [ Time Frame: Before and one month after receipt of primary series of immunization. ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Secondary Outcome Measures:

Measure whether the profile of cytokine secretion or the number of antibody-secreting cells can be used as a predictor of anamnestic response to a supplemental vaccine dose following serologic nonresponse to a primary series of immunization. [ Time Frame: Prior to immunization, 1 month after primary immunization, at study exit (week 72 for ATN 024; week 76 for ATN 025); at 2 & 4 weeks after supplemental immunization in nonresponders, & at study exit for ATN 024 subjects. ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

To compare the rate of loss of antibody-secreting cells after vaccination through the end of the study in each vaccine arm. [ Time Frame: Prior to immunization, 1 month after completion of primary immunization and at study exit. ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Doses at Entry and Week 24. Non-responders (<10 IU/mL of antibody at week 28/4 weeks after dose #3) will receive a dose of Recombivax during week 48-72.

Other Name: There are no other names.

Detailed Description:

This substudy will enroll volunteers from participants of ATN 024 and ATN 025. Participants in ATN 024 are HIV-infected youths aged 12-24 years while participants in ATN 025 are HIV-uninfected youths aged 12-17 years. These youths must also be negative for HBV core antibody, HBV surface antigen, and HBV surface antibody to be eligible.

Blood will be drawn from study participants prior to immunization, 1 month after completion of primary immunization and at study exit (week 72 for ATN 024 and week 76 for ATN 025) for cytokine assays and enumeration of antibody-secreting cells. In addition, the antibody to HBV surface antigen will be determined 2 and 4 weeks after supplemental immunization in nonresponders to the primary series and at study exit.

This laboratory substudy is designed to evaluate some aspects of cellular immune response to hepatitis B vaccination that are directly related to the generation and durability of antibody response to HBV surface antigen in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected adolescents. Cytokine production by peripheral mononuclear cells will be determined following in-vitro stimulation, and antibody-secreting cells will be enumerated.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

12 Years to 25 Years (Child, Adult)

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Yes

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Subjects that are eligible for participation in ATN 024 and ATN 025 are eligible for ATN 048. Subjects consented for ATN 024 or ATN 025 should be consented for ATN 048 at the same time. A written informed assent/consent must be obtained from the subject along with written parental/legal guardian permission as determined by the local IRB before any study-related procedures are performed.

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Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00142753